Abstract: An ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications includes an ion conducting polymer and a porphyrin-containing compound at least partially dispersed within the ion conducting polymer. The ion conducting membranes exhibit improved performance over membranes not incorporating such porphyrin-containing compounds.

Abstract: A composite membrane for fuel cells includes an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene substrate having a predefined void volume, a first polymer and a second polymer each of which fill at least a portion of the void volume. The first polymer includes the following chemical moiety: Polymer electrolyte membranes and fuel cells incorporating the composite membrane are also provided.

Abstract: A polymer for ion conductor applications includes a polymer segment having a perfluorocyclobutyl moiety and a phosphonated aryl group and a polymer segment a perfluorocyclobutyl moiety without phosphonated aryl group. The polymer is formed into an ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications.

Abstract: A fibrous sheet for fuel cell or battery applications is formed by electrospinning a fluorinated ion-conducting polymer solution to form an agglomeration of fibers.

Abstract: A polymer useful as an ion conductor in fuel cells includes a perfluorocyclobutyl moiety and pendant PFSA side groups. The polymer is made by a variation of the Ullmann reaction. Ion conducting membranes incorporating the polymer are provided.

Abstract: An ion exchange membrane is prepared from a block copolymer comprising a hydrophobic polymer segment and a polar polymer segment. The ion exchange membrane is formed by placing a film layer in steam, water or an electric field at a temperature greater than about 40° C. for sufficient amount of time to develop a bicontinuous morphology. The ion exchange membrane is also formed from a film layer comprising a block copolymer and a solvent. The film layer is placed in an electric field at an elevated temperature and dried therein. The film layer is thereby converted into an ion exchange membrane with bicontinuous morphology. The ion exchange membrane prepared according to these processes exhibits improved mechanical and electrochemical properties.

Abstract: A membrane/electrode assembly for fuel cell applications includes an ion conducting polymer and a porphyrin-containing compound at least partially dispersed within the ion conducting polymer, a first electrode and a second electrode. At least one of the first and second electrodes also includes the porphyrin-containing compound. The membrane/electrode assembly exhibits improved performance over membrane/electrode assembly not incorporating such porphyrin-containing compounds.

Abstract: A blend composition comprises a fluorine-containing polymer electrolyte and a fluoro-rubber. An electrolyte membrane may be prepared from the blend composition. The electrolyte membrane may be used in electrochemical cells such as electrolyzers, batteries and fuel cells.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polymer comprising sulfonating a perfluorocyclobutane polymer with a sulfonating agent to form a sulfonated perfluorocyclobutane polymer, wherein the sulfonating agent comprises oleum, SO3 or a combination thereof is provided. A process for preparing proton exchange membranes and fuel cells comprising the proton exchange membrane are also provided.

Abstract: An ion conducting polymeric structure suitable for fuel cell applications is provided. The polymeric structure comprises a non-homogenous polymeric layer. The non-homogeneous layer is a blend of a first polymer comprising cyclobutyl moiety; and a second polymer having a non-ionic polymer segment. The weight ratio of the first polymer to the second polymer varies as a function of position within the non-homogenous layer. The blend composition may be cast into an electrolyte membrane that can be used to prepare electrochemical cells such as batteries and fuel cells.

Abstract: A method of forming an ionomeric membrane includes a step of reacting a first polymer in chlorosulfonic acid to form a first precipitate. The first precipitate comprising a polymer including a polymer unit having at least one —SO2Cl moiety attached thereto and includes a step of dissolving the first precipitate in a polar aprotic solvent to form the first solution. A polymeric membrane is then formed from the first solution such that the membrane includes the polymer unit having at least one —SO2Cl. The polymer including a polymer unit a polymer unit having at least one —SO2Cl is then reacted with a nucleophilic compound to form the polymeric membrane.

Abstract: A polymer blend useful as an ion conductor in fuel cells includes a first polymer having a cyclobutyl moiety and a second polymer include a sulfonic acid group.

Abstract: A polymer blend useful as an ion conductor in fuel cells includes a first polymer that includes a non-ionic segment and a second polymer that includes a sulfonic acid group.

Abstract: An ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications includes a combination of a polyvinyl polymer and an ion conducting polymer that is different than the polyvinyl polymer. The ion conducting membrane of this embodiment is able to operate in fuel cells at elevated temperatures with minimal external humidification. A fuel cell incorporating the ion conducting membrane between a first and second catalyst layer is also provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a first catalyst layer and a second catalyst layer. An ion conducting membrane is interposed between the first and second catalyst layers. The ion conducting layer includes a polyolefin support structure and an ion conducting polymer at least partially penetrating the polyolefin support structure. A set of electrically conducting flow field plates are in communication with the first and second catalyst layers.

Abstract: An ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications includes an ion conducting polymer and a tin-containing compound at least partially dispersed within the ion conducting polymer. The ion conducting membranes exhibit improved performance over membranes not incorporating such tin-containing compounds.

Abstract: An ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications includes an ion conducting polymer and a porphyrin-containing compound at least partially dispersed within the ion conducting polymer. The ion conducting membranes exhibit improved performance over membranes not incorporating such porphyrin-containing compounds.

Abstract: An ion exchange membrane is prepared from a block copolymer comprising a hydrophobic polymer segment and a polar polymer segment. The ion exchange membrane is formed by placing a film layer in steam, water or an electric field at a temperature greater than about 40° C. for sufficient amount of time to develop a bicontinuous morphology. The ion exchange membrane is also formed from a film layer comprising a block copolymer and a solvent. The film layer is placed in an electric field at an elevated temperature and dried therein. The film layer is thereby converted into an ion exchange membrane with bicontinuous morphology. The ion exchange membrane prepared according to these processes exhibits improved mechanical and electrochemical properties.

Abstract: A polymer useful as an ion conductor in fuel cells includes a perfluorocyclobutyl moiety and pendant PFSA side groups. The polymer is made by a variation of the Ullmann reaction. Ion conducting membranes incorporating the polymer are provided.

Abstract: A proton conductive graft polymer comprises at least a structure unit of a sulfonated polymer side chain covalently attached to a hydrophobic perfluorocyclobutane polymer main chain. The sulfonated condensation polymer side chain has a high local ion exchange capacity while the main polymer chain is substantially free of sulfonic acid group. A membrane made from the graft polymer can provide good mechanical properties and high proton conductivity at wide range of humidity and temperatures.